Tinubu Swears In Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas as Rivers Sole Administrator

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has officially sworn in Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas as the sole administrator of Rivers State, marking a historic and contentious federal intervention in state governance.

The swearing-in ceremony took place on Wednesday at the State House, Abuja, in the presence of Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Prince Lateef Fagbemi, Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, and other top government officials.

This development follows President Tinubu's declaration of a six-month state of emergency in Rivers State on Tuesday, March 18, citing escalating political tensions and security concerns. The move effectively sidelines Governor Siminalayi Fubara, transferring executive powers to the newly appointed sole administrator.

While addressing the gathering, Tinubu emphasized that the decision was necessary to prevent a total breakdown of law and order, given the unresolved crisis between the Rivers State Governor and members of the House of Assembly.

Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas, born on September 27, 1960, is a seasoned military officer with a distinguished career in the Nigerian Navy.

He was commissioned as a sub-lieutenant in 1983 and rose through the ranks, serving in various command positions. In August 2015, he was appointed as Chief of Naval Staff by then-President Muhammadu Buhari, a position he held until 2021. After retiring from active military service, he was appointed as Nigeria's High Commissioner to Ghana, serving between 2021 and 2023.

Now, as the sole administrator of Rivers State, Ibas takes charge of governance in a politically volatile environment, with expectations high on how he will handle the deep-rooted crisis.

The appointment of a sole administrator has triggered mixed reactions across the political spectrum. While government loyalists defend the move as a necessary step to restore stability, opposition voices and constitutional experts have raised concerns about the legality and implications of removing an elected governor from power.

With Rivers State now under federal control, all eyes will be on Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas as and how he navigates the political and security challenges in the coming months.

[caption id="attachment_187286" align="alignnone" width="1280"] Tinubu Swears In Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas as Rivers Sole Administrator[/caption]